Hanger clamp for splicing head

ABSTRACT

A hanger clamp adapted to rigidly secure a splicing head at any desired position with respect to a cable. A pair of novel hanger clamps secure an index bar to a pair of cable hangers. Each clamp comprises a lower clamp block having a pair of parallel downwardly extending legs with a clamping cam adapted to engage the cable hanger, and an upper clamp block with a transverse orifice and a second clamping cam adapted to engage the index bar. A rider on the index bar has an adjustable arm for holding the splicing head.

[451 Nov. 26, 1974 2,958,110 11/1960McBrien.........................248/229X 1 1 HANGER CLAMP FOR SPLICHNGHEAD [75] Inventors: Terence i. McClymont, Stony Brook, N.Y.; Maurice H.LaFond, Sterling, Mass.

Primary Examiner-James C. Mitchell Plessey incorporated, New York, NY.

ABSTRACT [73] Assignee:

[22] Filed: June 18, 1973 A hanger clamp adapted to rigidly secure asplicing head at any desired position with respect to a cable. A

App]. No.: 370,748

pair of novel hanger clamps secure an index bar to a pair of cablehangers. Each clamp comprises a lower [52] US. Cl. clamp block having apair of parallel downwardly extending legs with a clamping cam adaptedto engage [51] Hm. A47b 96/06 248/226 R, 229, 230, 316 R;

the cable hanger, and an upper clamp block with a transverse orifice anda second clamping cam adapted to engage the index bar. A rider on theindex bar has an adjustable arm for holding the splicing head.

[58] Field of Search.

[56] References Cited 12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures X 9 2 2 W 4 2 SM m WE" Tm Am M w m AV. T3 SW D E6 1 NH 6 8 6 9 4 2 PATENTEL M2 I 3,850 399SHEEI 20? 2 FiG. 3.

HANGER CLAMP FOR SPLICING HEAD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates generally to mounts for splicing heads. Moreparticularly, it relates to a rigid clamp for a splicing head on anindex bar, adapted to be secured between a pair of cable hangers.

Rapid and effective splicing of telephone cables is a difficult anddemanding job. A preferred method of splicing is to employ a flexiblestrip of channel-type insulated jointing clips havinginsulation-piercing edge portions. Such clips are described and claimedin US. Pat. No. 3,517,804, issued June 30, 1970 and assigned to theparent company of Applicants assignee. In essense, a magazine orcassette of such clips is mounted in a splicing head and a clip isautomatically fed onto a punch plate with each operation. The operatorplaces a pair of insulated wires within the channel and actuates thedevice. A pair of folding die members close over the clip and the punchrises, thus forcing the sides of the clip down over the wires.Sharp-edged metal excrescences in the bottom of each clip pierce theinsulation of each wire and make contact with the metal core. Provisioncan also be made to shear the loose wire end within the clip. The diethen opens as the punch retracts, and a new clip is fed to the punchplate.

While hand splicing tools have been used for many years, a mounted powertool is preferred, since this allows both of the operators hands to befree to manipulate the wires. A power tool also provides a uniform highquality of splice and high splicing rate.

The mounting for such a tool must be very firm, but at the same time itshould be easy to move the splicing head in both the lateral andvertical directions. Because ofthe large number of wires in a typicalcable, and the desire to have the splice as unbulky as possible, splicesare made at a plurality of lateral positions. The splicing head must beaccessible to all portions of the cable, so vertical adjustability isalso essential. Index bars that allow such movement of the splicing headare known and form no part ofthe present invention, which relates onlyto the clamping of such a bar to the cable hangers.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION A general object of the present invention is toprovide an improved clamp for mounting a splicing head between cablehangers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved clampfor a splicing head index bar adapted for easy and firm connection tocable hangers.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedclamp for a splicing head index bar wherein diverse cable hanger sizesand spacings can be accomodated.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will become clearfrom the following description of embodiments thereof, and the novelfeatures will be particularly pointed out in connection with theappended claims.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the clamps of theinvention with an index bar, splicing head and splicing head mount;

FIG. 2 is a elevation view, partly in section, of the hanger clamp ofthe invention, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation of the hanger clamp taken alongline 3-3 of FIG. 2, with the clamp ing cams in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper clamping cam and associatedspindle;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 3 but with the clamping cams in the closed orlocked position; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lower clamping cam.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS The present invention comprises a novelhanger clamp which is adapted to quickly and easily secure an index barto a pair of cable hangers at any desired position, despite considerablevariation in dimensions of the cable hanger.

Cable hangers are generally channel-shaped arms that clip into a wallbracket at one end, the depth of the channel sides decreasing withdistance from the wall bracket to form filleted side walls. A pair ofcable hangers are indicated at 10 in FIG. 1, and are clipped into wallbrackets 12. The hanger clamps of the invention support an index bar 15on which rides the splicing head mount A and the splicing head B.

The hanger clamp 14 of the present invention comprises a lower clampblock 16 and an upper clamp block 18, which is preferably one piece butcould be separate pieces. The lower clamp block 16 is of inverted-Ushape and comprises a pair of downwardly extending parallel legs 20, 22connected across the top. Block 16 is adapted to fit loosely over andrest upon the cable hanger 10. A rotatable clamping cam 24 is providedin a rectangular opening 25 in leg 22 which, upon rotation to thelocking position, clamps cable hanger I0 firmly between cam 24 and leg20,

The upper clamping block 18 secures index bar IS in position, and has atransverse almost-circular orifice 26 adapted to loosely retain theindex bar 15. Block 18 is also of inverted-U shape. A second clampingcam 28 is located in a rectangular opening 29 in the top of block 18and, when in the locking position, clamps the index bar 15 between cam28 and the top surface of lower block 16. The latter surface is providedwith a chordshaped groove or indentation 30 (FIG. 2) which, togetherwith orifice 26, provides a circular opening 31 slightly larger thanindex bar 15.

Upper locking cam 28 is mounted on an upper spindle 32 having aneccentric handle 34 at its outer end. Similarly, lower cam 24 is mountedon a lower spindle 36 having handle 38 at its outer end.

Two hanger clamps 14 are required to support index bar 15, and it ispreferred that they be mirror images of each other. To lock index bar 15in position, the left hand upper locking cam is turned counter-clockwiseand the right hand locking cam is turned clockwise as indicated byarrows in FIG. 1. This puts bar 15 into compression and strains thecable hangers 10 away from each other. thus increasing the rigidity ofthe support. Lower clamp blocks 16 are identical, but are secured (byscrews 40) to upper block 18 so as to have lower earns 24 on the outsideof the respective cable hangers this merely keeps handles 38 away fromthe work area. As noted, it is preferred to have upper and lower blocks16, 18 machined from a single casting.

Each spindle 32, 36 is journaled into the appropriate portion of therespective clamping block for rotation in suitable bushings (not shown).

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the upper spindle 32 is a steel barhaving an intermediate bend of about 120 to provide necessary leverage.Handle 34 is affixed over the outer end of spindle 32 with a set screw42 engaging a flat machined into the bar. Upper locking cam 28 is acylinder having its outer surface machined in a concave shape to conformto the outer surface of the index bar 15, and with an off-center bore toaccommodate spindle 32 and provide the required cam action. Cam 28 issecured to spindle 32 by a pair of set screws 44 (one shown) engagingsuitably positioned flats machined into spindle 32.

The circular opening formed by orifice 26 and indentation 30 is largeenough to easily accomodate index bar 15. The positioning of cam 28 onspindle 32 may be such that when the handle 34 is hanging straight downcam 28 is in the open position shown in FIG. 3, so index bar is notimpeded when inserted through orifice 26. When handle 34 is rotated, cam28 moves to the locking position shown in FIG. 5.

Spindles 32 and 36 are similar, and the latter need not be separatelydescribed.

Lower cam 24 is best illustrated in FIG. 6. Cam 24 is a cylinder with alongitudinal off-center bore 46 for spindle 36. Cam 24 is provided witha flat 48 on the side of its outer surface closest to the bore 46. Asseen in FIG. 3, where cam 24 is in the open position, flat 48 is inapproximately the same plane as the inner surface of leg 22, and thechannel 50 formed by legs 20, 22 is completely open. Cable hangers 10come in a variety of widths (varying by perhaps l/4 inches), and channel50 is large enough to accommodate such variations, in conjunction withflat 48. In the locked position (FIG. 5) the cylindrical surface of cam24 will engage the hanger l0 regardless of its dimensions.

In operation, the two hanger clamps. index bar and splicing head mountare provided as an accessory kit for the splicing head unit. theoperator places the clamps over the respective ends of bars 15, andslides them to appropriate positions so as to engage hangers I0. He thensecures the clamps to the hangers, and thereafter locks the index bar inplace. A feature of the present invention is the ability of the clampsin combination with the index bar to function with cable hanger pairs ofdiverse spacing, the only limitations being (a) the length of the barand (b) the space required by the splicing head.

The hanger clamps of the invention may be fabricated from any suitablematerials, but aluminum is preferred for upper and lower blocks l6, l8and handles 34, 38, the spindles 32, 36 may be of steel rod stock, andcams 24, 28 can be machined from stainless bar stock.

Various changes in the details, steps, materials and arrangements ofparts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order toexplain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in theart within the principle and scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Clamping means for securing a bar to a horizontally extending hangercomprising:

an upper clamping block and a lower clamping block;

said lower clamping block being of inverted-U shape and having a pair ofparallel, downwardly extending legs forming a channel wider than saidhanger;

first rotatable cylindrical cam means mounted in an opening in one saidleg and adapted to clamp said hanger between said cam means and theother said leg upon rotation from an open position to a locked position;

said upper clamping block being of inverted-U shape having a pair ofparallel, downwardly extending legs secured to the top of said lowerclamping block and forming therewith an orifice of larger dimensionsthan said bar transverse to the channel in said lower clamping block;and

second rotatable cylindrical cam means mounted in an opening in saidupper clamping block communicating with said orifice and adapted toclamp said bar between said cam and the opposite wall of said orificeupon rotation from an open position to a locked position.

2. Clamping means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bar iscylindrical, and said second cam means has a concave surface of the samecurvature as said bar, the axis of said second cam means beingtransverse to the axis of said bar.

3. Clamping means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first cam meanshas a flat on the surface facing said channel when in the open position.

4. Clamping means as claimed in claim I, wherein said first and secondcams are mounted for rotation on spindles journaled into said respectivelower and upper clamping blocks, each said spindle including outwardlyextending handle means angled away from the axis of rotation of saidcam.

5. Clamping means for securing an index bar between a pair of parallel,horizontally extending cable hangers comprising a pair of cable hangerclamps, each said clamp comprising:

an upper clamping block and a lower clamping block;

said lower clamping block being of inverted-U-shape and having a pair ofparallel, downwardly extending legs forming a channel wider than saidhanger;

first rotatable cylindrical cam means mounted in an opening in one saidleg and adapted to clamp said hanger between said cam means and theother said leg upon rotation from an open position to a locked position;

said upper clamping block being of inverted-U-shape having a pair ofparallel, downwardly extending legs secured to the top of said lowerclamping block and forming therewith a cylindrical orifice of largerdiameter than said index bar transverse to the channel in said lowerclamping block; and

second rotatable cylindrical cam means mounted in an opening in the topof said upper clamping block and adapted to clamp said index bar betweensaid cam and the opposite wall of said orifice upon rotation from anopen position to a locked position, said second cam means having aconcave surface of the same curvature as said index bar, the axis ofsaid second cam means being transverse to the axis of said bar. 6.Clamping means as claimed in claim 5, wherein said cylindrical orificeincludes a chord-shaped indentation in the top surface of said lowerclamping block.

7. Clamping means as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first cam meanshas a flat on the surface facing said channel when in the open position.

8. Clamping means as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first and secondcams are mounted for rotation on spindles journaled into said respectivelower and upper clamping blocks, each said spindle including outwardlyextending handle means angled away from the axis of rotation of saidcam.

9. Clamping means as claimed in claim 4, wherein said upper cam means isaffixed on said spindle so as to be in the open position when saidhandle means is hanging straight down.

10. Clamping means as claimed in claim 8, wherein said upper cam meansis affixed on said spindle so as to be in the open position when saidhandle means is hanging straight down.

11. Clamping means as claimed in claim 4, wherein said upper and lowerclamping blocks comprise a single, integral piece.

12. Clampling means as claimed in claim 8, wherein said upper and lowerclamping blocks comprise a single, integral piece.

1. Clamping means for securing a bar to a horizontally extending hangercomprising: an upper clamping block and a lower clamping block; saidlower clamping block being of inverted-U shape and having a pair ofparallel, downwardly extending legs forming a channel wider than saidhanger; first rotatable cylindrical cam means mounted in an opening inone said leg and adapted to clamp said hanger between said cam means andthe other said leg upon rotation from an open position to a lockedposition; said upper clamping block being of inverted-U shape having apair of parallel, downwardly extending legs secured to the top of saidlower clamping block and forming therewith an orifice of largerdimensions than said bar transverse to the channel in said lowerclamping block; and second rotatable cylindrical cam means mounted in anopening in said upper clamping block communicating with said orifice andadapted to clamp said bar between said cam and the opposite wall of saidorifice upon rotation from an open position to a locked position. 2.Clamping means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bar is cylindrical,and said second cam means has a concave surface of the same curvature assaid bar, the axis of said second cam means being transverse to the axisof said bar.
 3. Clamping means as claimed in claim 1, wherein sAid firstcam means has a flat on the surface facing said channel when in the openposition.
 4. Clamping means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said firstand second cams are mounted for rotation on spindles journaled into saidrespective lower and upper clamping blocks, each said spindle includingoutwardly extending handle means angled away from the axis of rotationof said cam.
 5. Clamping means for securing an index bar between a pairof parallel, horizontally extending cable hangers comprising a pair ofcable hanger clamps, each said clamp comprising: an upper clamping blockand a lower clamping block; said lower clamping block being ofinverted-U-shape and having a pair of parallel, downwardly extendinglegs forming a channel wider than said hanger; first rotatablecylindrical cam means mounted in an opening in one said leg and adaptedto clamp said hanger between said cam means and the other said leg uponrotation from an open position to a locked position; said upper clampingblock being of inverted-U-shape having a pair of parallel, downwardlyextending legs secured to the top of said lower clamping block andforming therewith a cylindrical orifice of larger diameter than saidindex bar transverse to the channel in said lower clamping block; andsecond rotatable cylindrical cam means mounted in an opening in the topof said upper clamping block and adapted to clamp said index bar betweensaid cam and the opposite wall of said orifice upon rotation from anopen position to a locked position, said second cam means having aconcave surface of the same curvature as said index bar, the axis ofsaid second cam means being transverse to the axis of said bar. 6.Clamping means as claimed in claim 5, wherein said cylindrical orificeincludes a chord-shaped indentation in the top surface of said lowerclamping block.
 7. Clamping means as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidfirst cam means has a flat on the surface facing said channel when inthe open position.
 8. Clamping means as claimed in claim 5, wherein saidfirst and second cams are mounted for rotation on spindles journaledinto said respective lower and upper clamping blocks, each said spindleincluding outwardly extending handle means angled away from the axis ofrotation of said cam.
 9. Clamping means as claimed in claim 4, whereinsaid upper cam means is affixed on said spindle so as to be in the openposition when said handle means is hanging straight down.
 10. Clampingmeans as claimed in claim 8, wherein said upper cam means is affixed onsaid spindle so as to be in the open position when said handle means ishanging straight down.
 11. Clamping means as claimed in claim 4, whereinsaid upper and lower clamping blocks comprise a single, integral piece.12. Clampling means as claimed in claim 8, wherein said upper and lowerclamping blocks comprise a single, integral piece.